StoryWall - County Fairs

We've travelled to Bloomsburg, Penn State, Timonium and York to attend the county fair. County fairs have been, and still are, a great source of entertainment for young and old alike. It was so much fun to get out of school at noon and jump into the car with Mom & Dad and head for the Fair.

Several of us were lucky enough to live close, therefore we walked to the fair several times a week. We enjoyed the rides (except the ferris wheel), sideshows, food, exhibits, animals, harness races, the grandstand - and just sitting, watching people.

When money was short we packed a lunch and ate it in the car. Once in a while, we would even sneak into a girlie show to see what all the hype was about... usually to be disappointed.

Joe Bury's hamburgers were the food of choice for many. We also loved the oyster sandwich, barbecued chicken, crab cake, waffles, ice cream, or a bowl of homemade soup. We saw everything from the tallest man to the strongest man; the bearded lady to midgets - as well as the "Mighty Atom", the man who sold medicine.

Saturday was the day that busloads of fair-goers came from Baltimore, MD to enoy the sights, sounds and smells. 'Bingo', named, "I Got It" at the Fair, was fun to play. We remember picking the plastic duck from the water to see if we'd won a prize.

The Grandstand hosted many good entertainers, as well as stage plays, in past days. People were accustomed to wearing their finery to attend the Fair. We paid only 35 cents admission!

We loved everything about the Fair - but, my, how things have changed!